The most notable discussion revolved around the Miami Lakes Local Lotto initiative, presented by Kimberly from the special needs advisory board. This initiative, dubbed Lotto Bingo, aims to encourage residents to shop locally by offering a bingo card featuring 24 local businesses, including gyms and cafes. Residents earn stickers for their cards by making purchases at these businesses, with completed lines and full cards earning entries into a grand prize drawing. The grand prize is projected to be $3,000, funded by sponsorships and the sale of bingo cards priced between $2 and $5.

Kimberly emphasized that the initiative is not about providing free items but rather incentivizing purchases. She highlighted the importance of council support in promoting the initiative to attract more business sponsorships, noting that some businesses, including a winery and a restaurant, had already joined. The council’s endorsement was seen as vital for broader outreach, with one participant noting the potential impact of associating the initiative with the Graham Companies.

The council raised questions about their role in supporting the initiative and the logistics of securing sponsorships. Kimberly assured them that the project is business-led, with flexibility in business participation. The deadline for businesses to sign up was set for November 1st, with participation costs ranging from $125 to $175, depending on their placement on the bingo card. Council members expressed enthusiasm for integrating the initiative into town events, such as the Festival of Lights.

Next, the council delved into financial matters, discussing the town’s marketing budget and approval of a motion to allocate $500 for a specific individual, followed by another $250 for boot camp giveaways. The council also considered increasing the Business Tax Receipt fee by $20 per registered business, potentially generating $40,000 in the first year for marketing purposes. This proposal, aimed at bolstering the marketing budget, is set to be revisited in the next budget meeting.

The meeting then addressed logistics for upcoming events, including a culinary bike tour and Main Street Live events. The culinary bike tour, financially supported by a volunteer group, is slated for January or February, avoiding the wetter months. Meanwhile, Main Street Live events will feature three gatherings next year, with an emphasis on securing sponsorships to support these community activities. The council recognized the importance of leveraging their connections within the business community to aid in sponsorship efforts.

In discussions on event planning, the council covered preparations for the business boot camp, focusing on logistics such as registration, materials, and managing walk-ins. The boot camp is scheduled to start at 9:30 AM, with registration opening at 8:45 AM. The council agreed to accommodate walk-ins based on space availability while maintaining a waitlist for those not registered. The venue’s capacity of 207 attendees was noted.

Additionally, the council discussed the sushi bomb networking event, which had a good turnout despite scheduling miscommunications. Attention was given to the Economic Development Committee’s upcoming business boot camp, highlighting its significance as an annual event requiring coordination with vendors for food and swag bags.